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Kenosha police said officers were called to a home near 50th Street and 21st Avenue around 7 p.m. Monday when a neighbor called police after hearing screams and two thumping sounds coming from the home.

When officers arrived, they found a 27-year-old woman with a swollen face and cuts on her hands. She had her 11-month-old daughter, Serenity Rose, with her.

The mother and baby were taken to Kenosha Hospital and Medical Center, where the baby girl was pronounced dead.

The Kenosha County Medical Examiner's Office said Serenity's cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.

“We literally have officers that have been on 30 plus years are that are walking around with tears in their eyes when they hear how violent this little girl died,” Morrissey said.

Officers at the scene said the father, Russell Lamar Rose, inside set fire to curtains while the building was surrounded. Residents of neighboring apartments were evacuated, and he was eventually taken into police custody.

Significant fire damage to the first floor and basement occurred as a result of the fire.

Russell Rose, 34, is currently being held on a probation hold. He is expected to be charged with homicide, substantial battery and arson.

He also called police dispatch Tuesday night to claim he had explosives, but officers only found some sparklers.

An upstairs neighbor told WISN 12 News he knew Serenity. As a father of young children, her death hit him hard.

"I didn't sleep at all last night. I'm glad that my kids and I were not here at the time just because it's not something anyone wants to experience,” Samuel Quigley said.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Morrissey told parents to "please tell your kids you love them and hug them."

Morrissey is urging people to help save domestic violence victims.

He said if you or someone you know is being victimized to call these helplines:--For adults: 800-799-7233--For children: 800-422-4453

In the Milwaukee area, people can also call the Sojourner Family Peace Center's 24-hour hotline at 414-933-2722. Executive director Carmen Petrie said they provide help to more than 9,000 domestic abuse victims each year.